X-Noise noise reduction plugin interface by Waves

X-Noise: Broadband Noise Reduction Plugin by Waves

X-Noise is a broadband noise reduction plugin from Waves that removes unwanted noise, such as preamp hiss or room rumble, by learning a noiseprint from a section of audio and subtracting it.

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01Overview

X-Noise targets the noise that creeps into recordings: preamp hiss on a vocal, room rumble picked up by a ribbon microphone, or computer noise on a guitar track. Rather than re-recording, you isolate a passage that contains only the unwanted noise, click Learn, and the plugin subtracts that noise wherever it appears. Its controls are modeled on a dynamics processor, so reduction amount, smoothing and tone can be adjusted with familiar settings.

Best for

Vocal hiss removal
Room rumble reduction
Ribbon mic cleanup
Guitar amp noise cleanup
Mix noise cleanup
Noise sound design

Developer: Waves
Category: Audio Restoration
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Dynamics processor-style Threshold and Reduction controls
Works on individual tracks or complete mixes
Attack and Release controls smooth reduction processing
Frequency-based spectral display for visual feedback
High-shelf filter for high-frequency boost or cut
Two saveable noise profiles for easy comparisons
Selectable resolution for frequency or time-domain processing
Difference mode monitors only the removed noise
13 factory presets for when noise cannot be isolated

03In depth

How the noiseprint method works

X-Noise builds its reduction from a sample of the noise itself. Select a section of audio containing only the noise you want to remove, then click Learn. The plugin subtracts that noise profile wherever it appears in the audio.

The Threshold and Reduction controls set how much noise is removed. Attack and Release smooth how the reduction is applied over time, and a high-shelf filter lets you add a high-frequency boost or cut afterward. A frequency-based spectral display gives visual feedback as you adjust.

Workflow and practical use

X-Noise works on individual tracks or on complete mixes. Two noise profiles can be saved for quick comparisons. The resolution can be optimized for frequency-domain or time-domain processing.

When no clean noise section is available, 13 factory presets are included as a starting point. The Difference mode monitors only the noise being removed, which the developer suggests can also be used for sound design.

04Specs